The woman who inspired the Pulp hit Disco 2000 has died from bone cancer just a few hours before being named in the New Year’s Honours list for her NHS work.

Deborah Bone, a nurse and childhood friend of Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker, was 51 and suffering from bone cancer.

She was awarded an MBE for her services to children and young people just hours after her death, in recognition of her work setting up a series of innovative services for youngsters sufffering from anxiety and stress.

But Deborah was better known to pop fans for inspiring Pulp frontman Jarvis to write Disco 2000, the band’s classic song which topped the charts in 1995.

In her blog, called My Myeloma Journey, she wrote: “Born in Sheffield, my claim to fame is growing up and sleeping with Jarvis Cocker, well someone had to do it, and it was all perfectly innocent!

“I have been told, and like to believe, that I am the Deborah in the Number 1 hit Disco 2000 but we never did get to meet up by the fountain down the road.”

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The lyrics to Pulp’s song about unrequited love describe how Cocker and a girl called Deborah grew up together, with him holding out hope that they could meet again as adults.

The chorus asks: “I said, let’s all meet up in the year 2000. Won’t it be strange when we’re all fully grown? Be there at 2, by the fountain down the road.”

As the song says, Bone did get married. Her second husband and “soul mate” Colin paid tribute to her.

He told the Comet newspaper: “What made Deborah different from others is once she identified the problem she set about finding answers.

"With characteristic determination and drive, she went on to create the solution.

“I shall be so proud to attend the MBE award ceremony on her behalf accompanied by her daughter Pollyanna who is following in her mother’s footsteps working for the NHS and already achieving national recognition.”

Deborah is survived by Colin, daughters Jemima and Pollyanna, grandson Elliot and a soon to be born granddaughter Lucy.

Writing on Deborah's website , her family said: "We are sorry to let you know that after a brave fight, Deborah passed away on December 30th, peacefully at home. She loved life and fought to the end.

"Deborah was a truly inspirational woman, always putting other people before herself.

"She worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those around her and it is with great pride we can tell you that in the New Years honours list 2015 she received an MBE for her services to children’s mental health."